EBC (Everest Base Camp)

Long day yesterday from Lobuche Base Camp to EBC. We left at 8:40am and arrived at 3:00pm, with short breaks at Lobuche and Gorak Shep.  Judy hit the wall hard just out of the village of Lobuche, but bounced back quickly with the help of various energy drinks and treats.  It was also emotional as Judy and I realized that we are now only a few days from having to say goodbye.  It was a strenuous day for everyone, but we were happy and relieved to finally arrive at EBC.

Once we got established in our tents, Judy started the short little hike up to the dining tent just ahead of me.  She stopped and appeared quite upset.  I asked her what was wrong and thought she said she couldn’t breathe.  Just then, the expedition leader, Greg, appeared a little farther up and he surmised something was wrong, as well.  I yelled, “She can’t breathe!” and he immediately took action.  He called for a couple of Sherpa and oxygen and helped her up to the dining tent.  He sent me back to my tent for Diamox, a medication for altitude sickness.  I made a mess of my tent, completely unloading both of my extra-large duffel bags, but couldn’t find the Diamox.  I hurried back to the dining tent expecting to find Jude on oxygen, but instead found her sitting in a comfortable chair, her eyes red and puffy, as if she’d been crying, but otherwise appearing normal.  Greg told me that her vitals were actually quite good, but that she had an emotional episode anticipating the end of our time together!  I was so relieved I gave her a great big hug! I’m a lucky man!

IMG has a wonderful spot and is one of the first camps upon entering.  The only downside is it takes another 30 minutes to arrive at Crampon Point where climbing in the Icefall starts.  That means we have to get up that much earlier on the mornings we’ll be going through the Icefall.  The tents are smaller than the ones at Lobuche Base Camp and so we each have one of our own.  In some ways it’s good in that we don’t wake each other for bathroom breaks, etc., but not in others. For instance, only one body to keep the tent warm, instead of two.  I slept with all my down clothing on and inside my bag to keep warm.  I stayed warm but didn’t get much sleep as the avalanches roaring down off Lo La Pass kept waking me.